Creation
God the Creator
The Bible opens with God describing His creation of the heaven
and the earth, and throughout the rest of the Scriptures His supreme position as
the Creator and Sustainer of the universe is set before us. God is from
everlasting to everlasting, all-powerful and all-wise, a living God Who takes
care of, and delights in, all that He has made:
-
"In the beginning God created the heaven
and the earth" (Gen 1:1)
-
"When I consider
Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast
ordained..." (Psa 8:3)
-
"He hath made the
earth by His power, He hath established the world by His wisdom, and hath
stretched out the heavens by His discretion" (Jer
10:12)
-
"Behold the fowls of the air: for
they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly
Father feedeth them" (Mat 6:26)
-
"Thou hast
created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created" (Rev 4:11).
Jesus and the apostles endorse the Genesis Creation account
Every major detail of the Genesis Creation is confirmed by the
preaching of Jesus and the apostles in the New Testament. We cannot believe some
things in Genesis but reject others. We must take our stand with Jesus and
accept the Creation account given to us in Genesis.
- The seven days of Creation (Heb 4:4)
- The creation of Adam and Eve (Mat
19:4; Mar 10:6; Luk 3:38; 1Co 15:45; Jud 1:14)
- Adam made in the Creator's
image (1Co 11:7; Jam 3:9)
- Adam made from the dust of the earth (1Co
15:47)
- Adam first formed, then Eve (1Co 11:8,9; 1Ti 2:13).
Adam was created about 6,000 years ago
A study of the Bible records of the ages of the men living
before and after the Flood (Gen 5; 11), the 430 years of Exo 12:40, the 480
years of 1Ki 6:1, and the lengths of the reigns of the kings of Israel and
Judah, enables us to calculate how long ago Adam and Eve were created. Such a
study leads to the conclusion that today (AD 1999) we are living approximately
6,000 years after.
Other studies lead to the same conclusion. Genealogies are
given in Genesis, 1 Chronicles 1 and Luke 3. These enable us to trace the
descendants of Adam, and in particular give us the pedigree of the Lord Jesus
Christ. The unbroken line of descent from Adam to Christ places a limit on how
far back Creation can be dated. The number of generations is compatible with
Adam being created 6,000 years ago.
Thirdly, there is evidence that God's overall plan and purpose
with the earth spans 7,000 years, with 6,000 years of spiritual creation and
development followed by 1,000 years of completion and rest in the Kingdom (Heb
4:4,9; Rev 20:2-7).
How old is the universe?
Scripture gives no clear answer to this question. Some believe
the heaven and earth to be ancient, already in existence when the six days of
Creation began. In this view the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters
6,000 years ago to fit the earth for living organisms to live in. Others believe
that the entire universe was created in the six days, and that the universe,
including the earth, is therefore young, only 6,000 years old.
Both views have fervent adherents who can set forth evidence
to support their respective standpoints. In the absence of clear Scripture
teaching there is liberty for difference of opinion, much as there was in the
first century over keeping or not keeping special days, or eating meats or not.
We must be prepared to be open-minded about the age of the heaven and earth, and
have respect for those whose views differ from our own.
Creation, not evolution
Science can be rightly used to give glory to the Creator.
Great scientists such as Isaac Newton, Michael Faraday and Ernst Chain believed
the Genesis account and worshipped the Creator. The theory of evolution,
however, introduces a denial of God as the Creator of life. The theory is
plainly contrary to Bible teaching, and we must reject evolution on Scriptural
grounds. But there are also several scientific objections to evolution.
The powerful witness of the creation to its Maker
Throughout Scripture we are encouraged to see the greatness
and complexity of creation as a witness to the power and wisdom of God, in
contrast to the puniness of man:
- "Where wast thou [Job] when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare,
if thou hast understanding" (Job 38:4; see also the whole of this
chapter)
- "I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
marvellous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well" (Psa
139:14)
- "For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are
clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal
power and Godhead" (Rom 1:20).
Even in its present cursed condition creation silently
witnesses to God's power and wisdom, His love of variety and His great
generosity. The evidence is there for all to see, particularly today when, by
means of powerful microscopes, telescopes and other techniques, we are
privileged to know more of the Creator's handiwork than in any previous age.
The spiritual creation
The natural creation foreshadows God's spiritual creation
which takes place over a period of 7,000 years. The millennial Kingdom is
described as a sabbath rest in Heb 4:9 (mg), which lasts for the final thousand
years of this 7,000-year period (Rev 20:2-7). It is termed by Isaiah and Peter
"new heavens and a new earth" (Isa 65:17,18; 2Pe 3:13). God's faithful servants
undergo renewal (Psa 51:10; 2Co 5:17; Gal 6:15) after the pattern of the man
Jesus Christ, who is called the first-born of this new creation (Col 1:15,16).
This new creation will ultimately bring pleasure and glory to the great Creator.
May we remember our Creator and obey His Word, so that we
become part of that blessed and glorious creation which the Almighty will once
again pronounce "very good".
